NEW ZEALAND - What would you do to get your hands on a coveted avocado in the off-season? Would you sell all your personal belongings? Fly to the ends of the Earth? Offer up a blood sacrifice? In New Zealand, one group of avocado enthusiasts resorted to stealing from a local grove—and that is one method the ANUK team just cannot get behind; we say stick to blood sacrifices!
According to local news source sunlive, Lyn Pratt and Neville Cooper discovered that their avocado grove had been pilfered from, believing approximately 1,000 pieces of fruit were stolen off of the trees.
“We got about three or four lots stolen last year, but this is the first lot for this year,” Pratt said to the news source.
Pratt also noted that the fruit was prematurely picked—and if you’ve ever had the displeasure of trying to enjoy a ‘cado that’s not ready yet, I’m sure you’ll join me in questioning just what these perps expect to do with all that unripe fruit.
“Ours aren’t normally ready until September,” Pratt continued.
Since Millennials’ favorite fruit isn’t in season now in New Zealand, prices are a tad bit high—one of the main reasons why Pratt and Cooper believe a group plundered the local Whakamarama couple’s grove.
“They left behind a couple of bags, an onion bag full and another carry-on bag, and there was quite a few avocados,” Pratt added. “There always seems to be someone that will buy stolen fruit.”
Here’s to hoping all those embezzled avocados are restored to their rightful owners, and may this serve as a warning to all those who think they can rob fresh produce from its perch on the right hand of justice.
To stay ahead of the latest in fresh fruit and veg, keep clicking to AndNowUKnow.
CHICAGO, IL - Everyone is having the time of their lives in the Windy City, and here at the ANUK office, we’re diligently reporting on all the goings on at this year’s United Fresh Expo. The most recent news from the association is its announcement of the members of the 2019-2020 United Fresh Produce Industry Leadership Program Leadership Class 25.
The Produce Industry Leadership Program welcomes the following professionals to its 25th Class:
- Fernando Aguiar, Naturipe Farms, LLC
- Aly Ahnert, Fresh Start Foods Canada, Ltd.
- Peter Barone, Starbucks
- Frank Camera, SunFed
- Annie Faller, Gold Coast Packing Company, Inc.
- Craig Fields, RPE, Inc.
- Bobby Grinstead, The Grinstead Group, LLC
- Martha Hilton, Wegmans
- Marc Newman, Capital City Fruit Company, Inc.
- Stephanie Pharris, Duncan Family Farms, LLC
- Jennifer Pulcipher, North Bay Produce, Inc.
- Oliver Sill, Columbine Vineyards
According to a press release, the program was launched in 1995 and has graduated more than 200 program participants in the ensuing years. It has been sponsored by a generous grant from Corteva Agriscience™, the agriculture division of DowDuPont™.
“Corteva Agriscience has been the sole sponsor of the Produce Industry Leadership Program since its inception 25 years ago,” said Tom Stenzel, United Fresh President and CEO. “Their tremendous support creates a unique opportunity for future fresh produce leaders to grow professionally and personally, ensuring a bright future for our industry.”
Beginning this July, the members of Leadership Class 25 will participate in a number of educational events and outings centered on the four core focus areas of the program: leadership development, business relationships, government and public affairs, and media and public communications.
During the year-long fellowship, participants will take part in a series of customized trips which include face-to-face meetings with leading industry players, hands-on training with top industry experts and educators, interactive experiences with influential leaders in Washington, and more. This year's schedule will feature trips to California, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, and San Diego, where the class will graduate at United Fresh 2020 Convention & Expo.
"We are thrilled to welcome the newest class of the Produce Industry Leadership Program,” said Amanda Griffin, Senior Director of Education and Member Programs for United Fresh. “We congratulate Class 25 for their commitment to becoming future fresh produce leaders.”
ANUK extends our congratulations to Class 25 as well! We wish you all the best!
SEATTLE, WA - If we're talking what's up and coming in the world of grocery, there's no getting around delivery, whether it be grocery or restaurant. But in an unprecedented move for one of the biggest, and most wellknown, forebears of delivery, Amazon has decided to close down its Amazon Restaurants food delivery service.
“As of June 24th, we will discontinue the Amazon Restaurants Business in the U.S.,” an Amazon spokesperson expressed in a statement that was then shared with GeekWire. “Many of the small number of employees affected by this decision have already found new roles at Amazon, and others will be provided personalized support to find a new role within, or outside of, the company.”
Amazon first launched Amazon Restaurant in Seattle in 2015, after which it began implementing the program across more than 20 U.S. cities and London, England. In November, GeekWire reports, Amazon ended the London program and now expects to close down its U.S. operations as well.
Additionally, the e-tailer will shutter Daily Dish, a workplace lunch delivery system, on June 14, 2019.
Does Amazon have a backup plan for restaurant delivery? Or is it moving out of this sector for good? AndNowUKnow will continue to follow where our industry's giants lead.
SONOMA, CA - OK, show of hands, who actually gets their full recommended amount of fruits and vegetables every day? I don’t know about you, but my hand didn’t exactly shoot up, and sadly I don’t think I’m alone. In today’s hustle and bustle, many consumers are going through the day not eating as much produce as they’re supposed to—but what if there was an easy and delicious way to get the nutrients you need without, say, tucking into an oversized bowl of salad? Good news, there is! The recently re-named Medlie Wellness Shots contain actual fruits and vegetables—not just the juice—filling a much needed gap in the market. CEO Jen Berliner spoke with me about the company’s recent rebranding and products that are as good for you as they taste.
“Our shots are not juice, they're blended,” she explained. “We use whole organic vegetables to make the shots and we don't strain or press anything out, so you get all of the fiber, all the nutrients—the seeds, the skin, and really the entire vegetable. As a result, every two ounce shot has one dietary serving of vegetables, so there's actually a serving of whole organic vegetables in every little bottle, as well as one gram of fiber. That's pretty different from other shots that are out there which really don't have fiber and often don't even really have vegetables in them. You're getting the functional benefit listed on the front of the bottle, and you end up getting a lot more in the way of nutrients and real, whole food.”
Instead of the standard high-heat pasteurization process Medlie utilizes High Pressure Processing (HPP), a food safety technique that eliminates pathogens and extends shelf life.
Lisa Wessels, JBTAvure’s Chief Marketing Officer explained, “Traditional high-heat pasteurization essentially 'cooks' the product to kill pathogens, but during that process the high heat also degrades taste, texture and nutritional value. HPP uses ultra-high pressure purified cold water to keep packaged food and drinks pathogen-free and to stay fresh longer. Food and beverage are subjected 87,000 pounds of pressure per square inch, the same amount of pressure as six times the deepest part of the ocean. The benefits of HPP are pathogens are destroyed, but food and beverages retain superior taste, texture and nutrition.”
Medlie had already been making plant-based drinks, but the company heard from its customers that, while they loved the feel-good hit of vegetables, they didn’t always want to drink 12 oz of liquid. Enter the Wellness Shots—a concentrated shot of blended veggies and fruit that can be used as a morning pick-me-up, or as a convenient on-the-go option. The shots are USDA Certified Organic, and fit in well with Whole30 or paleo diets, opening up the consumer market even further.
Currently the line offers four distinct flavors with four different health benefits:
- The Digestion Shot is great for gut health and contains tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers
- The Immunity Shot strengthens the body’s immune system and contains carrot, ginger, and turmeric
- The Metabolism Shot is a metabolism boost and contains Jalapeño, kale, cucumber, and pineapple
- The Glow Shot is great for skin and hair and contains cucumber, lemon, celery, and the magical ingredient, collagen
The Glow Shot is my personal favorite and the company’s latest addition to the shot roster. Packed with antioxidants and collagen, the Glow Shot tastes as good as it makes you look and feel.
“You can take the Glow Shot at any time of the day, but we really designed it to be the perfect thing to have first thing in the morning if you're getting cucumber to hydrate, and you're getting lemon to help balance the pH of your body, and collagen is really good for hair, skin, and nails,” said Jen. “It's this ideal little juice to take first thing in the morning that has a serving of veggies in it and collagen to start your day off right. That's our newest and it's been really popular.”
Medlie began as a drinkable soup brand called ZÜPA NOMA, founded by Sonoma Brands, which launched in late 2016. The company received great feedback from its customers about the taste and health benefits of its soups, but were slightly confused about how to enjoy it. The soup came in a ready-to-drink bottle, but consumers weren’t sure if they needed to heat it up or pour it into a bowl first. So, over time the company moved away from soups and gravitated towards wellness drinks and shots, staying true to its mission of making vegetables easy, accessible, and fun.
“Taking the shot is an easy way to be like, ‘Boom, you've gotten a serving of vegetables in and you can move on with your day. It's really been cool for us as a brand to see how people are incorporating them into their own daily routines.”
To learn about more exceptional products and companies, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
MCALLEN, TX - Fox Packaging™ is again making waves in the packaging community with the announcement of the immediate availability of two new product offerings—the Fox Eco Stand-Up™ bag and the HD Stand-Up™ bag. This will give companies currently using the Fox Stand-Up Combo bag the option to use a nature-friendly alternative.
“It is gratifying to announce these new material offerings as they are a sincere demonstration of Fox Packaging’s dedication to our customers,” said Aaron Fox, Executive Vice President. “As our research and development teams have been driven by environmentally conscious agendas, this is our way of answering that call-to-action and being a continued industry solution.”
The HD Stand-Up bag has a crisp and rigid feel, which is comparable to polypropylene while maintaining increased stiffness.
“The HD Stand-Up bag offers significant strides in recyclability, holding a RIC of #2, which is a competitive alternative to polypropylene which holds a RIC of #5. This marks a turn in our industry, ultimately empowering consumers with an economically efficient packaging option,” added Jasper Trujillo, Business Development Manager, in a press release.
As the market continues to demand innovative and convenient solutions that are sensitive to naturally derived resources. Fox Packaging is dedicated to staying on the cutting-edge, and is now delivering additional sustainable packaging alternatives to meet customer needs, like the Fox Eco Stand-Up bag.
“The Fox Eco Stand-Up bag employs the same stand-up format and features a new, environmentally friendly substrate. It’s desirable and delivers on the expectations requested by recyclers, retailers, buyers, and most importantly, consumers,” Jeff Reger, Product Manager, commented. “This material advantageously incorporates eco-starch resins, directly and positively impacting waste reduction factors through renewable agricultural resources.”
The company’s product line is a fully recycle-program accessible, under the RIC codes of either #2 or #4, and continues to be an innovative solution in sustainable packaging. As the market shifts towards biodynamic products, Fox Packaging engineers efficient, modern designs which highlight bio-polymers solutions, with the added benefit of extended shelf-life.
“Our products significantly reduce waste, energy use, and global warming potentials as opposed to traditional flexible packaging,” said Craig Fox, Executive Vice President. “We are determined to push the reusability of our products to assist in diverting plastic from landfills, and to inform our audiences of the reality of the reduce, reuse, recycle reality of our industry. At the end of the day, we are doing everything in our power to ensure that our products meet retailer criteria so that our customers’ products can stay on store shelves.”
To see for yourself, stop by booth #6012!
PHILADELPHIA, PA - AgroFresh Solutions and Zest Labs have teamed up to enhance the companies' end-to-end solutions. AgroFresh will integrate Zest Labs’ Zest Fresh™ solution into its FreshCloud™ Transit Insights platform. The agreement will take advantage of both companies’ resources and strengths to provide customers with a comprehensive solution that improves operations, increases visibility into produce shelf life, and reduces food waste.
“As we continue to prioritize data and technology to enhance produce freshness and minimize food waste, this strategic collaboration will strengthen our existing portfolio, particularly our data-centric FreshCloud platform,” said Jordi Ferre, CEO of AgroFresh. “Zest Fresh is a natural fit with our FreshCloud Transit Insights solution and will accelerate the adoption of our technology to additional markets.”
According to a press release, AgroFresh’s FreshCloud platform is a data-backed, insights-driven solution for monitoring produce quality through the supply chain. The FreshCloud platform is able to predict produce freshness, quality, and optimal consumption timing.
For today’s produce industry, Zest Fresh is the post-harvest freshness management solution. Zest Fresh empowers seamless matching of the industry’s freshness needs with the actual produce freshness while monitoring adherence to the grower’s processes, by intelligently managing the handling and quality of each pallet of produce beginning in the field.
“AgroFresh’s offering of Zest Fresh is significant as they are a trusted global expert in post-harvest science with over 3,500 customers worldwide and can quickly expand Zest Fresh into new markets and with new types of fresh produce,” said Peter Mehring, CEO of Zest Labs. “Our collective science-based, data-driven solutions and shared market vision for ensuring delivered freshness and reducing food waste provide a foundation for a successful partnership.”
AgroFresh helps its customers preserve freshness, extend peak ripeness, maximize yield, and ultimately, prevent food waste with decades of experience and expertise in the science of produce freshness. Zest Fresh, provides analytics and freshness management expertise that will complement the AgroFresh FreshCloud platform by strengthening the end-to-end visibility of key freshness metrics through distribution.
AgroFresh will apply its industry expertise to offer the Zest Fresh pallet-level freshness management platform for fresh produce as part of its FreshCloud Transit Insights solution through this partnership. Zest Fresh, with its real-time data and predictive analytics capabilities provides growers, distributors, and retailers with autonomous, field-to-shelf product visibility that reduces waste and retail shrink up to 50 percent or more.
The expertise and insight embedded in AgroFresh’s FreshCloud solution will benefit more customers across more crops as a result of this collaboration.
For updates on the AgroFresh and Zest Fresh partnership, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.
SALINAS, CA - Green Giant™ Fresh is debuting its new veggie bowl varieties with two new regionally inspired flavors, Southwest Tortilla and Korean BBQ, at the United Fresh Convention and Expo in Chicago at booth #5015.
"Providing convenient, fresh, and flavorful options for consumers is at the heart of what we deliver at Green Giant Fresh," said Jamie Strachan, CEO. "We are constantly exploring ways to delight consumers with ways to incorporate vegetables into one's day. The Veggie Bowl concept is about providing a healthier take on traditionally calorie-heavy regional cuisine, and we are proud of the way we've brought to life these satisfying flavors for a smarter grab-and-go meal experience."
According to the brand’s press release, the Southwest Tortilla and Korean BBQ bowls are finalists in the United Fresh Innovation Awards for "Best New Vegetable Product." Attendees and exhibitors can cast their vote for the new Veggie Bowl varieties during the show.
The veggie bowl varieties are:
- The Korean BBQ Bowl captures flavors from the popular Korean grilling method with the company's first-to-market Cauliflower Crumbles® chopped cauliflower, carrots, celery, onions, broccoli, crispy rice noodles, and a sweet heat Bulgogi sauce to drizzle on top
- The Southwest Tortilla Bowl stirs up homemade comfort food nostalgia, with Cauliflower Crumbles® chopped cauliflower, carrots, onions, seasoned tortilla chips, sharp white cheddar, and a kick with a Chipotle Chile sauce
All of Green Giant's vegetables cook in five minutes or less! The veggie bowls include simple ingredients that are low in fat.
The two new varieties will complement the existing line of Veggie Bowls, including Rancheros, Buddha, Burrito, Ramen Soup, "Fried Rice," and Pad Thai Bowls. Green Giant Fresh Veggie Bowls are sold in grocery, natural food, and merchandise retailers across the country.
For more info Green Giant Fresh’s products, keep checking back with AndNowUKnow.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA - Albertsons, its banner Vons, and Kroger-owned Ralphs—may soon have picketers out front, as union leaders of seven Southern California food workers locals are in negotiation ahead of a June 24th vote to determine whether they will authorize a strike against the grocery chains.
A Kroger spokesperson, John Votava, claimed the company is negotiating in good faith, commenting, “as you know, negotiations are about finding compromise and this can take time. Throughout the negotiations, it’s business as usual in our stores and Ralphs is extremely proud of our associates who remain focused on serving our customers, communities, and each other.”
A three-year union contract expired on March 3, though provisions are still in force, according to Times of San Diego. The Mission Valley-based United Food and Commercial Workers Local 135 said on Facebook that the retailers were delaying in the negotiations, demanding takeaways that would “slash wages for cashiers,” offer “inappropriate wage increases that do not reflect minimum wage, 20 cents for top rate clerks, less than 1% increase,” and “put healthcare plan at risk of bankruptcy,” all while “corporate executives are giving themselves 34% raises and paying out $250 million to investors,” according to the post.
“The time has come to show the corporations we won’t take this anymore and they need to get serious about a fair deal. This will show them we are united and ready to fight for what is right,” UFCW Local 135 commented in the Facebook post.
If the upcoming vote succeeds, union leaders can potentially call for a strike at any time. While there are two more days of negotiations scheduled on June 10 and 11, the UFCW Local 135 Contract Update did not seem hopeful.
“Unless there are significant changes in their offer, your employer is giving us no choice but to take action,” the update stated. “We will not stand by while profitable corporations nickel and dime the people who make their profits possible. If we don’t have serious movement by the end of our next negotiation dates, we will be forced to stand up for ourselves, our families, and our communities.”
Will negotiations fall through? And will union leaders authorize a strike? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated.
UNITED STATES - Over the weekend, the United States and Mexico announced a new deal to address a few of the challenges facing our industry and nation. As a result, the tariffs President Trump initially imposed on Mexico were avoided—and the industry is rejoicing. We reached out to a few key produce players to check the pulse of the industry and trade following the latest announcement. Here’s what they had to say…
“We are pleased that this potential impediment to trade between our two countries has been avoided,” Western Growers’ President and CEO Tom Nassif said in a statement. “Mexico represents one of the largest export markets for U.S. agricultural goods, and any tit-for-tat escalation of tariffs would be devastating for American farmers, in particular given the current barriers to access to Chinese markets.”
Nassif continued: “As significant as this deal is in maintaining our regular flow of trade with Mexico, it is equally critical in clearing the pathway for passage and implementation of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). Like NAFTA before it, the USMCA maintains zero-tariff treatment for all produce, a provision that led to the tripling of U.S. exports to Mexico over the past 25 years. Additionally, the USMCA contains favorable terms that will advance science-based sanitary and phytosanitary measures and strengthen Mexico’s labor standards.”
With the threat of tariffs alleviated for now, Nassif also urged expediency of the process of passing the USMCA through Congress. The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) joined Nassif in advocating for USMCA approval, as well as the removal of all tariffs in order to maintain predictability and transparency in the marketplace.
In a statement, PMA added, “PMA maintains that trade is critical for the produce and floral industry and any threat to the flow of trade, including tariffs, will put our entire industry and consumers at a disadvantage. Consumers have become accustomed to year-round availability of fresh produce at an affordable price and imports from Mexico are a critical component of the solution for meeting year-round demand. In fact, according to USDA, Americans consume over $12 billion in Mexican fruits and vegetables every year.”
Dante Galeazzi, CEO and President of the Texas International Produce Association, also shared Nassif’s and PMA’s jubilation over the delayed tariffs, while also voicing reservations over implementing any sort of tariffs, even just the announcement of tariffs.
"Our members are pleased that the U.S. and Mexico were able to reach an agreement that will help the humanitarian situation at the southern border and that the tariffs did not go into effect. Even the threat of tariffs causes disruptions and economic losses when companies expend days and personnel to ready their organizations for compliance with these scenarios," Galeazzi stated. "We are hopeful that similar scenarios can be avoided in the future and that our business along the border can begin to experience a sense of normalcy returning to their operations.”
AndNowUKnow will continue to follow all developments regarding trade relations between the U.S. and Mexico, the USMCA, and everything else affecting fresh produce.
CHICAGO, IL - Sunkist Growers is bringing all the goods to United Fresh this week, with more than just a few of its 40 fresh citrus varieties making the trek to the Windy City. Packaging, displays, and even handcrafted citrus smoothies will join the grower’s very best summer citrus varieties on the show floor, so be sure to stop by first thing!
“Sunkist offers more than 40 fresh citrus varieties, and right now, it’s all about our summer fruit,” said Director of Retail Marketing Julie DeWolf. “United Fresh is a great environment to build awareness around the origins of Sunkist citrus varieties. Valencia oranges, California Star Ruby grapefruit, and lemons are the stars of the show, and we’ll be sharing ideas and displaying targeted cross-promotion opportunities available this summer.”
Sunkist is especially excited about its packaging and displays for its orange, grapefruit, lemon, lime, and mandarin varieties, which United Fresh attendees can feast their eyes on all show long. But that’s not all Sunkist has in store for attendees’ senses. Those who stop by the “We Are Citrus” booth can also sip on a “Gone to the Tropics” or a “So Fresh So Green” smoothie—provided by local Chicago smoothie bar Graze and made with Sunkist Valencia oranges and California Star Ruby Grapefruit, respectively.
“We’re looking forward to energizing the United Fresh crowds with our fresh fruit, delicious citrus smoothies,” said Christina Ward, Director of Communications. “Sunkist oranges, grapefruit, and lemons are perfect for summer drinks and dishes. This season, we collaborated with a food expert and social media influencer to demonstrate delicious Sunkist Delite® mandarin and California Star Ruby grapefruit recipes from in the grove and the kitchen.”
The grower is also sponsoring United Fresh’s EATS program with “Jamaican by Sunkist” dishes, including citrus jerk chicken with lemon and orange and curried fish with fresh lime, according to a press release.
So stop by booth #8036 for a citrus-y good time that will include everything from fruit to global packaging to merchandising displays to promotional programs! Don’t be a bummer, check out what Sunkist Growers is celebrating this summer!